We could say occupational licensing is a market vs. the government issue. Opponents of more licensing say the market would weed out incompetence. Proponents say the consumer needs protection. It could also take us to unemployment. Studies have shown more licensing, less employment growth. Yet another possibility is innovation because licensing tends to preserve the status quo.

During the past 50 years, licensed occupations have multiplied from 5% of U.S. workers to 23%.